Part of APHA’s pilot program in 2014, the Northeast Paint Horse Championship returned for its second year after its success in 2014. Held in conjunction with the Zone 7 Northeast Connection Show, the event took place in Logan Township, New Jersey, August 8th and 9th.
The 2014 Northeast Paint Horse Championship was the first event in the Paint Horse Championship series. The event helped test different eligibility criteria for the championship classes in an effort to help increase local show participation and provide recognition to another group of exhibitors beyond the current show format.
“The goal of the show last year was just to have the event and for more people to understand what it really was,” Marjorie Moser, Zone 7 chairwoman, said. “This year, we added more Novice Youth and Novice Amateur classes to the championship because we think that will be the best way to attract new exhibitors.”
The Paint Horse Championship series encourages more exhibitors to attend zone shows by offering 15 specially selected classes that are sponsored by APHA. In order to be eligible, the exhibitor must reside in that specific zone, be a current APHA member, and neither horse nor exhibitor may have placed in the Top 5 of a halter class or Top 10 of a performance class at the APHA World Championship Show within the last five years.
APHA provided the awards for the Paint Horse Championship classes, along with up to $3,500 for additional awards for Zone classes. Paint Horse Championship class winners received a custom Gist Silversmiths belt buckle, and 2nd –10th place received medallions. Along with the additional classes, exhibitors who have never before shown at the Zone 7 show were welcomed with a free stall.
CLICK HERE to view candids from the show taken by Kelsey Keathly and Vanessa Froman and sponsored by Prince Farm, LLC.
